I-70 through Colorado

oldtrojan66 wrote:
What is the road condition and grade situations in Colorado, please? We are leaving Tues from Indiana going to Moab, UT.

H E R E is a cross-section of the route on I-70 from Denver to Moab, giving the elevations and grades you'll be encountering. In the graph on the left side, if you place your cursor over a specific point in that graph, it will show the corresponding location on the map directly above. Denver to Moab is about 350 miles. It will consume a goodly portion of your day traveling.

Very generally, here's what you'll get. A long climb out of Denver, starting gradually in Wheat Ridge, and becoming more significant from the intersection with CO 470 and I-70, all the way up to the exit for the Evergreen Parkway. Once at that point, just some minor ups and downs. Until Floyd Hill.

Bit of a climb up Floyd Hill heading WB, but it's the downhill side that will (and should) get your attention. Long decline down to where US 6 joins up with I-70, east of Idaho Springs. Once down, it's easy going to Georgetown.

At Georgetown, you'll start the climb up to the Johnson-Eisenhower Tunnels, which tops out at just a bit over 11000 feet. WB tunnel is just a bit over a mile and a half long. Once through it, there's a long decline from the top down to the Silverthorne/Dillon area.

In fairly short order from Silverthorne, you'll begin the climb up to Vail Pass. which is about 10,500 feet. Once at the top, then you'll begin the downhill trip all the way down to Grand Junction. On the way, you'll be traveling through Glenwood Canyon, one of the engineering marvels of road construction, and if you have time, take some time to savor the beauty of the area there.

Looking at the rig in your signature, you really shouldn't have any problems. Biggest issue will be other traffic, particularly trucker traffic, which you'll likely be passing. Just take your time and use your engine judiciously in both the ups as well as the downs...probably more so on the downs. If you're leaving Indiana on Tuesday, you didn't indicate when you expect to be going through this route. If at all possible, avoid going through on a Friday, when weekend warrior traffic can be very heavy.